Introduction

I've been a voracious reader, for almost as long as I can remember. In fact, one of my earliest memories is of story time in the library in primary school - the librarian was obsessed with reading "Little House on the Prairie" to us, and out of boredom I began reading random books off the shelf (notably, the Prydain Chronicles, by Lloyd Alexander). Later on, during family vacations, my parents would have to ration the time I was allowed to spend reading, as I would plow through all the books I had brought (usually 15 - 20) in a matter of days. In college, I attempted (and succeeded) in reading the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy in a single weekend (Friday afternoon through to Sunday evening, not including appendices). I have grown to love all sorts of forms and genres of writing, from fiction to non-fiction, short stories, essays, poetry, manifestos, journals, philosophies, plays, histories, letters, and many more.

So why a book blog? There are a couple of reasons:

• Firstly, to encourage myself to continue to read outside of schooling and academic study. Lately I've found myself reading for pleasure less and less, and that's something I'd like to change.
  
• Secondly, to encourage others to read as well. Some people just don't know where to begin, or what books might be to their liking. Hopefully, this will generate some ideas for some people.
• Thirdly, to encourage people to read books together. Me and my wife host a book club once a month, and I hope that a rough guide like this blog will inspire others to read books in community.

Finally, why the name "Blackfriar's Books"? Well, "blackfriars" is another term for Dominicans, an order of mendicant friars (or monks) founded by Saint Dominic, around the same time as Saint Francis of Assisi founded the Franciscan order (13th century). Where St. Francis' abiding passion was for ruined churches, wild animals, and the poor, St. Dominic was passionate about books, education, and the poor. The purpose of the Dominicans was to spread education in the towns and cities, unlike the traditional monastic orders who existed within the confines of a monastery. I've always had a great deal of respect for Dominic and what he stood for, and although I am not a Dominican monk (actually, I'm not even Catholic) I'd like to think that Dominic and I would have got along well together.

So, I hope you enjoy, settle back with a nice glass of wine in a comfortable chair, and let yourself be swept into a good story, or engaged in an interesting idea. Most of all, regardless of what it is, I hope you're inspired to read a book.